Laudamus Te

From Wind Repertory Project
David Maslanka

David Maslanka


General Info

Year: 1986
Duration: c. 13:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Carl Fischer
Cost: Score & Parts - Rental   |   Score Only - $20.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (optional, though desired)
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV (10 Players), including:

  • Anvil (2)
  • Bass Drum
  • Brake Drum
  • Crotales
  • Cymbals (crash and small, medium and large suspended)
  • Gong (Tam-tam) (medium and large)
  • Maracas
  • Marimba
  • Ratchet
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Tom-Toms
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Laudamus Te was written for a band of 100+ players.

The commission was supported by a grant from the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program, a federally-funded program providing grants to outstanding teachers. The grant enables and encourages teachers to continue their education, develop innovative programs, consult with or assist local education agencies, and engage in other educational activities that will enhance their knowledge and skills. This, in turn, improves the quality of the education of elementary and/or secondary students. The fellowships honor the late Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who served as an astronaut on the Challenger Space Shuttle in January, 1986.

Laudamus Te was written for and is dedicated to the Mount St. Charles Academy Symphonic Band (Woonsocket, Rhode Island), Marc Blanchette, director.

The words "laudamus te" (we praise you) are from the Gloria of the Latin Mass. The idea has been brought forward by many over time(St. Francis and St. Ignatius Loyola are two) that the true function of the human race is to sing praise. Anyone who has reflected at all on the miracle of the universe - the enormity of it, the essential mystery of it, the paradoxes bound up in it - has no choice but to be astounded. The thought instantly lifts one beyond the rounds of daily life and into the words and music of praise.

Living has in it not only epiphany and joy, but depression, darkness and awareness of death. Awareness of death reveals how tenuous life is, and through this how miraculous and precious it is. Dark, seemingly negative awarenesses are not only not the reasons for denial or nihilism, but offer the possibility, even the necessity, of singing praise through darkness. Laudamus Te is such a piece; in this music the voice of praise arises out of darkness.


Program Note by David Maslanka


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources